Looking towards the demand for electricity, ample availability in March and a strong government commitment to sustained economic growth, India can play a leading role in the production of solar energy in the Asia Pacific region, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) President of South Asia, said today.

 Director General of Sultan H. Rahman  said in the conference in Gujarat, India that the Indian Government’s strong support at both national and regional level, has galvanized a number of major solar power projects, which place the country at the forefront of solar energy development.

‘Economies of scale will reduce costs and Gujarat and other states in India have more solar radiation is rapidly growing electricity demand and more available in the country,’ Mr. Rahman said.

Gujarat recently identified 2500 hectares of land to build Charanka Solar Park, which when completed will be one of the largest solar energy facilities in the world. At the same time, ADB is preparing a $ 100 million loan to finance the proposed power line that makes the 500 megawatts generated Charanka the national grid.

In May 2010, ADB launched the Asian Solar Energy Initiative (arms embargo) to identify and develop high-capacity solar projects to increase the solar energy generated in Asia and the Pacific six-fold to 3000 MW in mid-2013. Before launching the arms embargo, the region produced less than 500 megawatts of solar energy in existing installations. Overall, a regional solar capacity, is expected to reach 1,000 megawatts by the end of this year and 3000 MW in May 2013